Lines - What to use

**samjaynes** · 03-23-2011, 17:46

I need to find line(s) to tie down my hammock pull outs, as well as my tarp. What do you recommend, and what width to purchase?

Thanks

**Syb** · 03-23-2011, 17:52

I don't own a WBBB (or other hammock that has tie outs) but I've seen people use shock cord so when you enter/exit the hammock the line has some give in it. Hope that helps.

**pgibson** · 03-23-2011, 18:51

For Hammock tie outs you would want a shock cord just like Syb said. For tarps you are better off with a cord that does not stretch so that you can get a solid tight pitch. There are lots of options, We just added a new cord that is made from polyester and is only 1/16th of an inch and rated to over 100 pounds. Perfect if you want to keep things light but there are lots of other choices and even pre-made guyline sets available.

**NickJ** · 03-23-2011, 19:08

For tarp pull outs I use 1.5mm dyneema with a knot bone/shock cord tensioner and a marlin spike hitch on the bottom or if the weather is wet when I set up and I'm staying for more than one night I might use a taut line hitch for ease of tensioning when the tarp stretches. I rarely need it as the shock cord knot bone set up copes with pretty much everything unless it rains and rains, then it can sometimes be neccessary to tighten the line.

**tpkanu** · 03-23-2011, 19:42

For your tarp, you can use 200 lb test braided dacron kite line. Low stretch, low tangle, extremely strong. You can make whoopie slings and locked brummels easily.

I use a small loop of bungee at the tarp pullout as a line tensioner, and larkshead my tarplines to the bungee loop to keep my tarp taut. I use a locked brummel loop on bungee loop end of my tarp lines and use a marlin spike hitch at the stake end. Not having a knot at the end of the lines really helps keep tangles to a minimum.

I have never used a hammock tie out - so can't help there.

Happy Trails

**samjaynes** · 03-23-2011, 20:34

Thanks everyone for your response - Paul, I will have to check out your store again.

First two hammocks with pull-outs too - DIY WBBB and DIY HH. Shockcord sounds like some great tie-outs for the hammock and will give a little on the bugnet.

I am curious on the knotbone and shockcord tensioner method... Sounds like a great approach both ways - with that small of line, doesn't the teeth of the knotbone eat into the line, or not hold tight?

Thanks,

**samjaynes** · 03-23-2011, 20:36

Originally Posted by tpkanu

For your tarp, you can use 200 lb test braided dacron kite line. Low stretch, low tangle, extremely strong. You can make whoopie slings and locked brummels easily.

I use a small loop of bungee at the tarp pullout as a line tensioner, and larkshead my tarplines to the bungee loop to keep my tarp taut. I use a locked brummel loop on bungee loop end of my tarp lines and use a marlin spike hitch at the stake end. Not having a knot at the end of the lines really helps keep tangles to a minimum.

I have never used a hammock tie out - so can't help there.

Happy Trails

I haven't seen that line before - I will have to search for that. Anyone use line locks? I like the idea of a marlin spike hitch, but with 5 tieouts on the DIY WBBB, that is 5 toggles, etc to pack too.

**tpkanu** · 03-24-2011, 07:03

When you use a marlin spike hitch on your suspension, your "spike" is a toggle.

When you use a marlin spike hitch on your tarp tie out lines, your "spike" is a stake, so you will not need to carry extra toggles. When you break camp, you pull out your stake and the line falls free with no knots. It is harder to explain, than to do it! I hope this makes sense.

Happy Trails